Druridge mine approved – but the fightback begins!

The Planning Committee of Northumberland County Council unanimously approved the application by Banks Mining Ltd for a new surface mine at Highthorn, near Druridge Bay, on 5th July, after hearing a detailed verbal report by the planning officer, Frances Wilkinson, during which the words ‘Climate Change’ did not so much as pass her lips – astonishing!

But the fightback is beginning already with plans to try to get the government to ‘call in’ the application – i.e., to send it to Appeal by way of a Public Enquiry.

David Golding wrote an ‘Open Letter’ to Frances Wilkinson on 6th July, and an extract of it was published in the Northumberland Gazette on 17th July. [See following post.]

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings…Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.”
Nelson Mandela, 2005